What Frustrating Skin Issue Of Supermodel Cara Delevingne Is Exacerbated By Her Career?

Anybody interested in the fashion world knows the face and confusingly-spelled name of Cara Delevingne. The newly 21-year-old model has been the past year’s breakout star, landing covers and contracts left and right. Her charmingly bizarre facial expressions and goofy personality have made her fashion’s current sweetheart. Now, an interview with W magazine revealed yet another relatable thing about her: she suffers from psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease (and a frustrating one, at that, as my own feet and elbows can tell you) which leads to itchy, painful patches of inflamed skin. This is not a particularly fun thing for anyone to have, let alone a model whose skin needs to be as smooth as possible at all times. And Delevingne explains that it actually worsens when she needs it to be its best:

“It only happened during Fashion Week! Which is, of course, the worst time of the year for me to be covered in scabs. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, and I’m sensitive. Kate [Moss] saw me before the Louis Vuitton show at 3 a.m., when I was being painted by people to cover the scabs. She said, ‘This is horrible! Why is this happening? I need to help you.’ She got me a doctor that afternoon; Kate gives really good advice.”

First of all, “AWWW” at Kate Moss! It’s pretty awesome to know people in such a competitive field are still kind to one another.

Second: oh, dear! When my feet and ankles turn bright red, even bloody (because I scratch in my sleep, sad face), I feel uncomfortable even taking off my socks in front of people I know, let alone going out into the world and letting hundreds of people see me in person, including tons of photographers. High five, Cara! It’s cool to not only know of a young famous person with this condition, but also to know that she manages to continue working super hard even when it’s exacerbated and right out in the open.

I have had it since I was in sixth grade. I get it on my palms, feet, head and back. Not only is it embarrassing to explain to people when you shake their hand but most of the medications have weird side effects. I feel for her. It’s interesting how many celebrities and models are starting to talk about it though. Stacey London from “What Not To Wear” actually has a campaign dedicated to helping people with psoriasis find clothing options and what not. Very interesting.